An international hotel operator is to build two hotels on the site of the £135m King's Dock redevelopment.

Jurys Doyle plans to open a 280-room Jurys Inn hotel and a 60-room boutique hotel on the site, known as the King's Waterfront development.

The hotel chain is working with development partner McAleer & Rushe on the hotels.

Building work is due to start in 2006 with a view to completion in time for the Capital of Culture year in 2008.

'Tourism growing'

The King's Waterfront development is a partnership between Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Vision, the Northwest Regional Development Agency, and English Partnerships.

The hotel chain is working with development partner McAleer & Rushe on the hotels.

Liverpool City Council Leader, Mike Storey, said: "Their interest in investing in Liverpool shows confidence in the city and will bring further jobs in our growing tourism industry."

Liverpool Vision Chief Executive, Jim Gill, said : "The selection of Jurys Doyle is another significant step in realising our ambitions to transform Kings Waterfront into a visitor destination of international quality and prestige."